Jeremy Ambache Wandsworth LINk Chair  gives his personal view of the PCT Board meeting held on 6th May 2009. These notes are not necessarily the official LINk view.

Jeremy covered this meeting for Roger Appleton who is the regular LINk representative on the PCT Board as Roger was not able to attend. There were some 28 agenda items and this note is a summary of some of the main issues.

1. FINANCE PAPERS. The outturn revenue expenditure for 08-09 was on target and this gave an under-spend of nearly £4m. A budget increase of over 5% is expected in the current year, but the outlook for future years is expected to be much poorer.
2. PERFORMANCE TARGET REPORTS. The report on achievement against target for 2008-09 shows an overall improvement on previous years and the Board was pleased with this progress. Targets that were not met and that need further improvement are: a) 4 week smoking quitters, b) drug users in effective treatment c) cancer deaths d) teenage pregnancy rates e) booking via ‘choose and book’
3. SWINE ‘FLU PREPARATIONS. We were told about the preparations for the swine ‘flu possible pandemic by the PCT and all the local health services.
4. BIDDING FOR THE SOUTH WEST LONDON COMMISSIONING UNIT. The progress made on bidding to host the South West London Commissioning team was agreed. This team will involve commissioning services for several local PCTs including for Wandsworth.
5. HEALTH VISITING AND SCHOOL NURSING REVIEW. The reviews were agreed. They recommend that Health Visitors are linked to the Integrated Children’s Centres (current 16 Centres going to 24 by 2011). School Nurses will be aligned to schools. A further review will cover school health services for children in special education.
6. SOUTH WANDSWORTH HEALTH CONSULTATION. Approval was given to consult over the primary care / polyclinic proposals for South Wandsworth. This consultation will start soon and finishes about 4th August but may be extended a little.
7. PRISION HEALTH DELIVERY PLAN. This was noted.
8. EXTERNALISING PROVIDER SERVICES (It is planned that the provider services of the PCT will be separated from the commissioning services which will remain within the PCT). There will be a stakeholder event on June 23rd to engage in the consideration of options.